Category Archives: Dealership News

Haddad Toyota – a Western MA Toyota Dealership located in Berkshire County – has been named a 2013 Toyota President’s Award winner for the sixth year in a row. The award recognizes Toyota dealerships who meet the highest standards for parts and sales, service, management, and customer satisfaction, and is generally only awarded to the top 10 to 15% of the Toyota dealerships in the country.

“This award is really a tribute to the people at our dealership—our team—and their dedication to our customers,” said George Haddad, owner of Haddad Toyota. “It’s because of them that Toyota is the No. 1 car brand in Berkshire County.”

Recognizing the importance of their teamwork is Eddie Torres, Toyota’s district manager for the area, who has worked with the group for more than 14 years. He says that the award isn’t one that just honors the dealership, it also recognizes the contribution of every individual who works for Haddad Toyota.
“I visit a lot of dealerships throughout the region and Haddad Toyota always comes straight to mind when I stress the importance of putting customers first,” said Torres.

Haddad Collision Center will be working with the Pittsfield Police Department and Safe Kids of Western MA to bring the car seat safety program to Berkshire County.

Mandi Summers, who coordinates the Safe Kids of Western MA program through Baystate Health in Springfield, said “We were able to help close to a dozen Berkshire County families with last year’s car seat safety check – I’m really happy Haddad Collision Center offered to do it again.

Haddad Collision Center Manager, Matt Clark, first got involved with this event last year, when he had questions about the safe installation of his granddaughter’s car seat

“I just wasn’t confident that I had done it correctly”. Matt went on to say “I figured if I was having trouble – and I’m in the business – other people might have the same trouble. I was happy to be able to coordinate a Car Seat Safety Check with Safe Kids of Western Massachusetts – this way every family can be sure their child’s safe when in their car.”

The Car Seat Safety Check will be held in the parking lot that Haddad Collision Center shares with Haddad Pre-Owned at 25 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield MA, on Saturday April 12th from 10am-2pm. Volunteers from the Pittsfield Police Department, Safe Kids of Western MA and Haddad Collision Center will be on hand to inspect children’s car seats and ensure that they are installed correctly. In the event of rain, the Car Seat Safety Check will be held inside Haddad Collision Center. Families will need to bring:

Scott O’Connell at the Toyota Truck Champion 2007 Award Ceremony at the Toyota plant in Evensville, Indiana where he was granted the Title of Toyota Truck Champion.

In this week’s blog post, we are featuring our very own Scott O’Connell. He is our very own Toyota Truck Champion. In 2007, he was given this title and he hasn’t let go of it since! Check out our interview with him to learn more about his love of trucks and his goal to be the #1 Salesman in the Boston Region (including MA, VT, NH, and ME).

Scott O’Connell’s father drove this 1972 Land Cruiser when he was a kid, starting Scotty’s love for all things Toyota.

Why do you love trucks?

I’ve always had a passion for trucks ever since I was a kid. That’s all. I remember my father driving. I still have pictures of his 1972 Land Cruiser. I would say I enjoy the “truck customer” just as much as the vehicle, they are all very different yet so alike.

Do you drive a truck? If so, what type?

I do, I have a Sequoia. This is built on the Tundra chassis but has third row seating.

What is your favorite truck?

This is easy, 2014 Tundra Crew Max Limited with a TRD package. I think the black wheels make the truck. I must add that the new 1794 model is a great addition to the lineup this year.

Scott O’Connell with one of his favorite trucks is this 2014 Toyota Tundra 1794 edition.This is the Toyota Tundra TRD Rock Warrior Edition. It is Scott O’Connell’s father’s new truck and one of Scott’s favorite trucks.

What is it about truck sales that has really lit a fire under you?

It really all started in 2007 when Toyota elected me to be the Truck Champion. This was a great opportunity to educate the everyday customer and the commercial truck industry about the capabilities of Toyota Trucks. With the release of the new Tundra in 2007 we were able to finally fulfill the commercial truck owners needs with over 10,000 pounds of towing capability, residential and commercial plowing up-fittings, and provide the highest resale value and lowest cost of ownership in its class.

Do you think truck owners (or prospective owners) all have something in common?

Yes. They generally have researched the vehicle thoroughly, compared all competitors and most of all want to deal with someone who can “talk truck.” They don’t want to sit with someone who hasn’t gone out there and worked these trucks everyday like they do. I was a contractor in previous years, I pull a boat all summer and a snowmobile trailer all winter, I understand all of the capabilities of this truck.

From his trips with his friend, Scott knows first hand that Toyota’s are ready to tow a heavy load.

What would reaching this milestone and becoming the number 1 truck salesman in New England mean?

I ranked 4th behind some of the best dealers out there, you get to know the other large truck dealers, and these guys do a great job. To rank ahead of them knowing how aggressive and creative they are at planning truck events, marketing to their customers and overall sales excellence is a huge accomplishment.

We started with Berkshire County, now every time you turn your head there is a Tundra driving by. Next we expanded out to eastern Mass, New York State and up to Vermont. Next is the entire Boston Region which ranges all the way to Maine. Knowing that you are the one putting the best built truck on the road and providing accurate information to more customers than anyone else out there would be the greatest reward to my 12 years of hard work to help grow this new truck into the number one position it belongs in.

Check back with us later to learn more about Scott O’Connell’s quest to become #1 or stop by Haddad Toyota to help him on his way or just wish him luck!